BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – Three burglary suspects were held at gunpoint by a property owner who caught the suspects in the act of attempting to steal tools.

Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were called to a house on Blue Creek Road on Thursday on a report of a burglary in progress.

Stephen Ray Mangham, 33, Herschel Simmons, 51, and Allyson Starr Gay, 23, were arrested and charged with three counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle, possession of burglary tools and second-degree criminal trespassing.

(Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

(Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

(Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

Upon arrival to the scene, deputies discovered that the property owner was holding the three suspects at gunpoint. A total of three storage buildings and three vehicles had been broken into.

The suspects gave deputies two different stories as an explanation their actions. They said they were told they could come to the property to collect scrap, however, the property owner didn’t authorize the actions.

After being informed that the property owner didn’t give them permission to collect the scrap, the suspects said they had noticed his donkey was outside of the fence. As a result, they said they were trying to coax it back into the fenced area.